FEARS have been raised over what a town will look like when police 'quit' their office in Prestatyn.

Denbighshire County Council have given North Wales Police notice to leave their offices in Nant Hall Road, which also houses the town council chambers and mayor's parlour.

The council and police are holding discussions with a third party to try and retain a neighbourhood policing team. A new base in a new location is being sought.

Former policeman cllr Gerry Frobisher, mayor of Prestatyn and Meliden, said: "The County Council has given the police notice to quit their offices in Nant Hall Road as they are selling the building. We cannot let a police presence leave the town.

"It is a very disturbing turn of events. I know the police have looked at a number of empty properties in the town, but none can offer what they want.

"I believe there has been a continuous police facility in the town since 1903, when a purpose built police station was built in Nant Hall Road and then a new one on Victoria Road which is now just a court house. When that closed a few years ago, the police moved to their present offices.

"The police are being withdrawn from Prestatyn in the next couple of months and will based in Rhyl, which means their priority will be Rhyl. Prestatyn, Meliden and Dyserth will no local have local officers in their town.

"People in Prestatyn have heard the police are leaving town and are jumping to all sorts of wrong conclusions," he added.

"We are all working together to try and secure a police presence in Prestatyn."

A spokesperson from Denbighshire County Council said: "The police are assessing the possible new location to see if it is suitable but we are hopeful that an operational base for the police will be retained for the Neighbourhood Policing Team and the Response Team." We are in regular contact with North Wales Police and are working with them to resolve the matter."

District Chief Inspector for Denbighshire, Andrew Williams, added: “Whilst it is well known that we are having to vacate the building we currently occupy in Prestatyn, much work has taken place to identify suitable premises that will enable us to retain our presence in the town.

"I am confident that the process will be concluded in the near future."